Chu Chen had finished washing up and changed into a new robe early.
"Dressed so neatly?" Qin Xiangling looked at Chu Chen in surprise. "You're going to suppress bandits today, where are you planning to go?"
"To Dali Temple," Chu Chen said lightly.
"Dali Temple? What are you going to Dali Temple for?" Qin Xiangling's eyes widened. She wanted to say something more, but Chu Chen had already walked out.
"Hey, wait for me!" Qin Xiangling angrily chased after him, grabbed Chu Chen, and questioned him, "Didn't you say you were going to suppress bandits? What are you doing at Dali Temple?"
Chu Chen stopped and glanced at her, "To watch a play."
"Watch a play? What play?" Qin Xiangling blinked.
"You'll know when the time comes," Chu Chen said casually and walked forward.
Qin Xiangling pouted, too lazy to ask further. She followed behind Chu Chen, and the two arrived at the Dali Temple yamen.
As soon as they entered the gate, they bumped into a group of people, more than twenty in total.
These people were all wearing silver armor and waist tokens on their chests, clearly members of the Imperial Guard.
"Yo, Lord Chu, why are you here?" the leading captain greeted with a forced smile.
Chu Chen's eyebrows twitched upon seeing him. "Captain Yang, long time no see. I didn't expect us to meet again so soon."
Captain Yang's smile was not genuine. "I'm quite surprised you'd come to Dali Temple. Could it be you're here to surrender and confess?"
"I'm here at Dali Temple to interrogate someone," Chu Chen said calmly.
"Interrogate someone?" Captain Yang sneered. "Lord Chu, this is Dali Temple, not the interrogation room!"
"Captain Yang, I said I'm interrogating someone, do you have an opinion?" Chu Chen said lightly.
Captain Yang was stunned, and then his expression turned grim. "Lord Chu, although you are a Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, this is Dali Temple. You'd best restrain yourself!"
"Restrain myself?" Chu Chen let out a hearty laugh at this. "Do you think I, this Inspector, came to Dali Temple to chat and pass the time with you?
I am here today only to handle a case. Anyone who obstructs me will be considered an enemy of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"
As his voice fell, Chu Chen raised his arm and waved towards the interior of Dali Temple.
Instantly, a large number of Embroidered Uniform Guards rushed out of the hall and lined up, surrounding Captain Yang and his Imperial Guards!
"Presumptuous!" Captain Yang's face turned ashen. He never expected Chu Chen to be so arrogant, to turn hostile and resort to force right here in the Dali Temple yamen!
"Guards, protect Captain Yang!"
A clamor arose, and then a large number of Embroidered Uniform Guards swarmed in, instantly encircling Chu Chen's men in the center, swords drawn and ready.
"Lord Chu, what do you mean by this? Are you going to run amok in Dali Temple?" Captain Yang sneered repeatedly.
"Does my conduct require your reporting?" Chu Chen retorted sarcastically.
"You!" Captain Yang was so angry his beard bristled, but he was helpless against Chu Chen.
"Captain Yang, I am here by imperial decree to investigate the matter of the Embroidered Uniform Guard defection. Please step aside immediately!" Chu Chen's tone was icy.
"Heh, you're just a fifth-rank Supervising Censor, what right do you have to order me around?" Captain Yang sneered, not believing him at all.
"On the grounds that I hold an imperial decree," Chu Chen said slowly, taking out the imperial decree of bright yellow silk and displaying it before putting it back into his sleeve.
Captain Yang's pupils contracted sharply, and his body trembled. "The imperial decree... it's really an imperial decree..."
Chu Chen's gaze was extremely cold as he stared at him. "Are you still going to block me?"
"No... I dare not. I'll leave now, I'll leave now..." Captain Yang was terrified and immediately turned around, leading his Imperial Guards to retreat in a sorry state.
"Hmph, useless!" Chu Chen sneered disdainfully.
A moment later, Chu Chen sat before the Minister of Dali Temple, Zhao Zhijing, his expression calm. "Minister Zhao, I am here regarding the matter of the Jinshan Village raid.
Do you have any advice for me?"
"This... this..." Zhao Zhijing stammered. After much hesitation, he finally spoke. "Chu Chen, you must not act rashly.
This matter involves members of the royal family. It's a chain reaction that affects the whole body. It's no small matter."
"Oh? Minister Zhao, are you trying to persuade me to surrender?" Chu Chen asked with a half-smile.
"Chu Chen, I have no intention of persuading you to surrender. I am merely worried that you will bring disaster upon yourself," Zhao Zhijing shook his head bitterly. "What happened last night caused quite a stir.
I only just received the news. It is said that the Prince of Ning's heir sent people to raid Jinshan Village, and the court is now conducting a thorough investigation.
You coming here at this time is simply courting death!"
"Heh, Minister Zhao worries too much. Since I've come, it means I have nothing to fear. You don't need to worry."
Chu Chen waved his hand. "I've come to inquire about Jinshan Village. Do you know the details, Minister Zhao?"
Zhao Zhijing sighed. "Jinshan Village is a bandit stronghold with deeply entrenched influence.
Its high-ranking members are colluding with powerful figures in the capital, with grand ambitions. Moreover..."
At this point, Zhao Zhijing hesitated and said in a low voice, "Moreover, Jinshan Village has the backing of a colossal power.
Even the royal family is unwilling to provoke it. Chu Chen, I advise you to withdraw as soon as possible, lest you bring trouble upon yourself."
"A colossal power?" Chu Chen's eyebrows slightly rose. "Which one?"
"You don't need to know that. In any case, Jinshan Village has suffered a loss this time and will absolutely not let it go," Zhao Zhijing frowned.
He appeared very agitated. "Alas, the older I get, the more muddled my mind becomes, to let you young people get involved... Alas.
This is your choice. I can't blame you. I hope you won't regret it." With that, Zhao Zhijing stood up and took his leave.
Chu Chen watched his retreating back, a sharp glint in his eyes. "It seems Zhao Zhijing knows quite a lot..."
He suddenly stood up and walked towards the outside of the hall.
After a few steps, Chu Chen suddenly stopped and turned to his attendant. "Go and summon Su Changfeng."
"Yes, sir." The attendant bowed in response and quickly left.
Not long after, Su Changfeng hurried over. "Greetings, Commander!"
Chu Chen stood with his hands behind his back, glancing at Su Changfeng lightly. "Do you think I've come to question you, or do I have another task for you?"
Su Changfeng was immediately terrified and prostrated himself on the ground, saying fearfully, "Your subordinate is foolish. Please enlighten me, Commander!"
Chu Chen smiled faintly, reached into his robe and touched the imperial decree, and chuckled, "Guess?"
"Hiss..."
Su Changfeng gasped, cold sweat dripping from his forehead. He quickly kowtowed and said, "Commander, spare my life!"
"You don't need to be afraid," Chu Chen said softly to reassure him. "I've come to find you mainly because of the Jinshan Village case. Have you heard of the origin of the Jinshan bandits?"